The morning air was cold enough to bite. Frost coated the roofs, cars, even the train rails beneath us. I blew into my hands and rubbed them together, trying to get some warmth back in my fingers.

Reika walked beside me silently.

Her pale cheeks were pink from the cold, her bangs sticking to her face. Her gray eyes matched the cloudy sky—flat, dull, nothing like the bright glimmer she used to have when we were kids. Her light brown hair was tied in a ponytail, and the curse mark on her left temple peeked out from behind her bangs.

People used to bully her for that mark.

I never cared.

She’s my family. 

The only one I have left.

Eren guided us into the business-class section of the train. He was our supervisor for this mission—our first mission since getting licensed. Reika hadn’t spoken much since yesterday. Not like she used to.

I sat beside her. She stared out at the foggy morning, not even noticing me.

“So,” Eren said with a grin, leaning forward, “are you two ready for your first mission ever?”

I forced a smile. “Of course. We’re not terrified. Not at all.”

He laughed. “I acted the same way during my first mission. Got bruised everywhere.”

I laughed too. Reika didn’t respond.

Eren cleared his throat. “Okay, do you guys remember the drill?”

“You asked us that in the car,” I reminded him. “And yes.”

“Good. Then—what type are you?” he asked suddenly.

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Your weapon type.”

“Oh. I’m just a Handler. Nothing special.”

“Hey, me too,” he said with a wink. “And Reika?”

Reika’s head snapped toward him like she’d just woken up.

“S-sorry… did you ask me something?” she stammered.

“Yeah. What type of weapon are you?

Reika’s shoulders tensed. “I’d rather not say. You’ll find out during the mission. Sorry.”

She turned back to the window.   Eren stared at her, confused. 

Everyone in the science division already knew our types. Why was she suddenly hiding hers?

I gently nudged her. “Hey. What’s wrong?”

She glanced at me, then away. “Nothing.”

“You’re lying,” I said quietly. “When you tell the truth, you look at me.” Her eyes trembled.

“Reika… why are you hiding things from me? You never used to.”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Of course I’ll worry!” My voice rose. 

“You’re my family. Tell me what’s going on. You know I’m always here—”

“Just leave it alone!” she burst out. Tears filled her eyes. “Ari, just leave me alone!” She stood up.

“Reika, sit down,” Eren said sharply. “The train just started.”

“Sit,” I said softly.

But she shook her head. “Just let me be, Ari.” And she ran.

“What do we do now?” Eren asked.

“You started this,” I snapped.

“What? No! I just asked a question—”

“That wasn’t a normal question for her,” I muttered.

“Ari, calm down. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

I pushed past him. I had to find her.

“Reika!” I called as I walked through the train cars. “Reika, where are you?”

People stared but said nothing.

I checked the restroom. “Reika? Are you in here?”

“Sorry, someone’s using it,” a random girl answered.

Not her.

I kept walking, heart pounding harder with every empty seat I passed.

Then—

A muffled yelp.

From a storage cubby.

I knocked once, then opened the door.

My blood turned to ice.

Reika was pinned against the wall, trapped in the arms of a man with bright, angry red hair. Her back was pressed to his chest. She squirmed, trying to pull free.

“Hey, pretty,” he sneered. “Where you running off to?”

“Please stop,” Reika whispered, tears spilling.

“Relax,” he said. “I’m just trying to help.”

“HEY!” I snapped, stepping inside. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The man smirked. “Whoa, new girl. Hello, beautiful. Name?”

“My name is none of your business.”

“Ooh, feisty. Tell me—”

“My name won’t matter when I punch your ugly face,” I said.

“Ari, don’t,” Reika begged and tried to run to me—

But he grabbed her wrist and yanked her back

“Did I say you could leave?” he growled.

“Let her go,” I warned.

“Now, now,” he mocked. “No need for trouble.”

He tightened his grip. Reika cried out

That sound broke something inside me.

“Let. Her. Go.”

“And if I don’t?” He pulled out a knife, pressing it beneath Reika’s chin. “Tell anyone or fight me—and she won’t be so pretty anymore.”

Reika froze.

Then—

His eyes drifted to the star-shaped mark on her left temple.

“Oh? What’s this?” he smirked. “Something valuable? Maybe I’ll sell her—”

Reika gasped and clutched her face. Her breath came in frantic bursts. Her pupils shrank.

Her eyes went hollow.

“What the hell—?” the man muttered, instinctively letting go.

Reika screamed. A raw, broken sound.

Before he could touch her again, I drove my foot into his knee, making him collapse. Then I slammed my fist into the side of his head.

He fell like a stone.

I went straight to Reika, pulling her into my arms. “It’s okay. I’m here. Breathe with me, okay? It’s okay.”

We stayed like that until her breathing slowed.

Then I took her hand. “Come on… let’s go back. Eren’s worried.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered

I shook my head. “Don’t be. Everyone has bad days. Today was yours."

She didn’t smile.

Not even a little.

And for the first time, I wondered what was living inside my best friend—and how long it had been there.